What's your experience with snooty HiFi salesmen?


I began my Hifi journey in 1976 at a shop in Birmingham MI called Audio Dimensions. He was a Magnapan and ARC dealer who was kind to a 15 year old kid who bought a set of MG 1s with paper route money. The ARC amps he carried were about $4K back then- a LOT of money in 1976. In the beginning I drove my MG 1s with an old Fisher Studio Standard integrated amp. Since those lovely innocent days I have encountered some real buttholes. They act like they are doing me a favor as they quiz me about what gear I have and if I'm listening to "approved" recordings. Needless to say I don't buy from those guys. Several wives and businesses later I'm back into the hobby with a much vengeance as a 61 year old  can muster given only so many free hours in a day and only so much cash to apply due to my other vices: Classic cars and salt water fishing. 

Have you ever encountered a really good or really bad dealer (or employee) that changed your buying actions?

Darko posted a video on this topic which I found really enjoyable. Many of you have already seen it but for those (like me) who discovered it much later here's the link: 

https://darko.audio/2022/09/audiophiles-are-snobs-with-money-to-burn/

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xyesiam_a_pirate

 

ronboco
Yes Sir, If yo notice my posts, I TRY to NOT name names unless someone brings it up. The story is the important part. I hope to get down to the tech center and check them out. By now they should have their new store all set up and possibly they will be the new face of Audiophile equipment in Denver. There sure isn't much competition.
There was one outfit up around 40th and federal (close by) they operated out of an old house. They advertised the MOST ELITE of all equipment, but from what I could tell they didn't actually have any equipment set up . They were just a broker. I haven't seen anything from them for about a year. But you had put down $100K just to look at their web site hehehe.

@esarhaddon If you join the CAS, you can visit the stores in Denver. Not only does the group visit private homes, they just went to Soundings, Aural HiFi, and most recently to another new store at 1431 Ogden specializing in tubes and efficient speakers. This group has a wealth of knowledge and some members learn more about gear by visiting one another's homes. 

 

hilde45
I would consider that a Great Honor to join. Warn everyone that I am an OLD  country boy so sometimes the way I express myself don't come out the way is is meant. hehe!
>but yes I will be filing the paperwork post haste.

Just being able to compare notes  would be so wonderful. And of course I hope that a good hearted argument isn't forbade.

And I won't list my entire bio here but I started out building (rebuilding) an old tube amp with a couple of 12" TV speakers to amplify a basic tube radio, in 66 or 67.
Started designing speakers in the late 70s while still in College at USC...

@esarhaddon I'm in Denver if you ever feel like listening. Rough talk completely ok, but if you do too much of it, I'm going to stick a beer in your hand. ;-)

I have had nothing but great experiences with my dealers in Nashville. Gestalt and Atelier 13 Audio. Very enjoyable doing business.